Andy is now a hotelier

London: Andy Murray will be keen to prove his business nous and hospitality skills are as good as his tennis after he purchased a luxury hotel in his Scottish hometown of Dunblane.

The world No. 3 opted to buy the hotel where his brother Jamie, a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, got married in 2010.

“I am pleased to have acquired Cromlix House and look forward to securing its future as a successful business,” Murray said in a statement on his website on Monday.

“By re-establishing Cromlix as a leading luxury hotel at the heart of the Dunblane community we will be able to attract new visitors to the area, create a number of new jobs and focus on supporting other local businesses. I’m pleased to be able to give something back to the community I grew up in.”

Apart from being the hometown of US Open champion Murray, Dunblane is also known as the site of Britain’s worst school massacre after 16 children and their teacher were gunned down in 1996 by a local misfit.

Murray, a survivor of the Dunblane Primary School atrocity, has brought plenty of cheer to the small Stirlingshire town in recent months as a gold postbox in the vicinity marks his singles triumph at the London Olympics.

He then became the first British man in 76 years to win a grand slam title with success at Flushing Meadows last September.

He plans to refurbish the hotel before re-opening it next year ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup, which is being staged a short drive away at Gleneagles.

Local media reported Murray had purchased the hotel for $2.75 million.

Cromlix House is set in 50 acres of woodlands and garden with a trout loch.

Its previous owners of more than 30 years, the Eden family, said they were happy the venue was staying in local hands.

The hotel will boast a Chez Roux restaurant. Renowned chef Albert Roux, owner of Le Gavroche in London, is one of a group of industry experts consulted by Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI) which will manage Cromlix House on behalf of Murray.

ICMI managing director Norbert Lieder said: “Our team of experts has experience in every aspect of the hospitality industry and specialise in working with independent properties and transforming them into luxurious destinations.

“I am confident that, with Andy, we can create a very special hotel in his home community.

“While we aim to create a destination that attracts visitors from around the world we are also determined to ensure it remains a venue of choice for local people.”